February’s NBA schedule has delivered heightened intensity, headline-grabbing performances and fresh opportunities for fantasy basketball managers.
Chaos in Charlotte, milestones across the league
On Monday night in Charlotte, the Detroit Pistons edged the Hornets 110-104 in a matchup marred by a third-quarter fight that produced four ejections. Isaiah Stewart was tossed for the eighth time in his career, the second-highest total for any Piston since 1997.
In Denver, Nikola Jokic recorded another triple-double, matching Russell Westbrook for the most such games at home in league history. Minnesota’s Anthony Edwards reached his 117th career 30-point outing, tying Shaquille O’Neal for the 11th-most before turning 25. Meanwhile in Oklahoma City, the Thunder exploited the Los Angeles Lakers’ inconsistency without Luka Doncic, although LeBron James supplied his third straight contest with double-digit assists.
Sacramento’s skid opens the door for Clifford and Raynaud
The Sacramento Kings have dropped 13 straight, equaling the franchise’s longest losing streak since relocating in 1985-86. With veterans Domantas Sabonis and DeMar DeRozan seeing lighter workloads, minutes are shifting toward younger players.
• Nique Clifford (6.8% rostered) has started the past three games, averaging 37.3 fantasy points and 36.6 minutes by contributing scoring, three-pointers, assists, steals and blocks.
• Maxime Raynaud (3.9% rostered) has posted 31 fantasy points in 28.5 minutes per contest over his last six, remaining in the rotation even when Sabonis is on the floor.
Sacramento faces the league’s second-toughest remaining schedule, a factor that could both extend minutes for the duo and make the Kings a target for managers streaming opponents, as the club ranks top-five in fantasy points allowed to point guards, shooting guards and centers.
Dillon Brooks turns production into fantasy value
Now with the Phoenix Suns, Dillon Brooks is available in 39.8% of ESPN leagues despite averaging a career-best 21.1 points, 3.6 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.1 steals while shooting 44.6%. He became just the fifth Sun to log 800 points and 40 steals in his first 40 games, joining Stephon Marbury, Walter Davis, Tom Chambers and Charles Barkley, and hit his 1,000th career three-pointer on Feb. 1 against the LA Clippers. Brooks is delivering 29.5 fantasy points per night and reached a season-high 68 against Detroit on Jan. 29.
Jokic dominates February fantasy leaderboard
Playing through an ankle issue, Nikola Jokic is averaging 58.1 fantasy points over six games since returning on Jan. 30 from a knee injury that cost him 17 contests. With Aaron Gordon and Peyton Watson sidelined by hamstring problems and Spencer Jones in concussion protocol, Jokic continues to shoulder a heavier load. The frontcourt absences have also boosted wing Julian Strawther, who has topped 21 fantasy points in five of his last six outings. Denver’s schedule stiffens in February, likely preserving Jokic’s elevated usage.
Jarace Walker benefits from Pacers’ reshuffle
The Indiana Pacers’ decision to trade Bennedict Mathurin and the season-ending ACL injury to Johnny Furphy have expanded minutes for Jarace Walker (9.9% rostered). Over his past 10 appearances, Walker has averaged 15.6 points, 5.4 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.3 steals in 27.2 minutes while shooting 50.9% from the field.
Gui Santos emerges in Golden State
Injuries and trades have vaulted Gui Santos (9.5% rostered) into a key role for the Golden State Warriors. With Jimmy Butler III out for the season and Jonathan Kuminga traded, Santos has produced 33.8 fantasy points per contest across his last eight games by scoring efficiently, rebounding and contributing on defense. His workload could tighten once Kristaps Porzingis is fully cleared, but for now Santos offers short-term upside.
With the All-Star break approaching, managers looking to bolster their rosters may find immediate help in Sacramento’s young duo, Phoenix’s resurgent veteran, or rising contributors in Denver, Indiana and Golden State.
Source: ESPN
